Mitch Robinson can see success ahead for the Lions. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AAP

AFL

‘Fitter’ and ‘more mature’ Lions eye off 10-year first

by Lachlan Grey

2nd Apr 2019 3:09 PM
premium_icon
Subscriber only

MITCH Robinson has declared Brisbane's new-found maturity will shine again when they look to topple Port Adelaide to secure their first 3-0 start since 2009.

Fresh from their 20-point win, Robinson praised his side's resilience in toppling the Kangaroos despite a few early wobbles.

"I think it shows the maturity of the group is getting a lot better. We could've packed up shop after the 22-point lead from North Melbourne … but we've shown we can win from any point of the game," he said.

Much was made of the Lion's inability to close out games last season but Robinson, who kicked one of his side's seven fourth-quarter majors, says it's a different story after Chris Fagan's summer focus on in-game scenarios.

"We are a fit team, especially in the second half of the games we seem to run out really well," he said.

"This pre-season gone, we played a lot more match practice and we got to put those things in perspective … more time in game with game plans and what Fags wants for us in those tight games. We know it's a process and we're buying into it."

Fagan's strategy has worked wonders so far and Robinson is one of the main beneficiaries.

The former Blue has tempered his abrasive style without shirking the tough stuff and was rewarded with 22 disposals and a goal last weekend, adding to his 19 disposals against West Coast in Round 1.

Former Lion Tom Rockliff (centre) is set for a midfield battle with Mitch Robinson (right) when Brisbane hosts Port Adelaide at the Gabba.

Now, only a Tom Rockliff-inspired Port Adelaide stands between Brisbane and their best start in a decade.

"We've played (Rockliff) a couple of times so it's nothing new to us," Robinson said of facing his former teammate.

"He's been playing some great footy and we know what Rocky can do and what his deficiencies are, so we'll worry about ourselves and if he pops up then maybe I might tag him, maybe I might not."

Both Brisbane (second) and Port Adelaide (third) could leapfrog Geelong into top spot with a win on Saturday night.